Automatic hay-loader.



W. J. WITTENBURG.

AUTOMATIC HAY LOADER. APPLIOATION FILED DEG.14, 1912.

1,089,028.. Patented 111%1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

llll

VfG/Umm,- J. i113 6 nb 1119 W. J. WITTENBURG.

AUTOMATIC HAY LOADER. APPLIGATIUI FILED 11130.14, 1912.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

#EL l mmM/[U W. J. WITTENBURGi AUTOMATIC HAY LOADER, APPLICATION FILED 11130114, 1912,

OM 1 dd ployed to even] UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. WITTENBURG, OF SALMON, IDAHO.

.UTOMATIC HAY-LOADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

Application filed December 14, 1912. Serial No. 736.827.

To a?? 107mm, 'it may cont-cra v 13e 1t known that I, 'ILLIAH J. 'rrruls-4 Inno, arcitizen of the United States. rcsiding at Salmon, in the county of Lemhi and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic I'Iay-Loaders. of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the acconipanying drawing.

T his invention relates to hay loading devicesand has for its object the production of an efiicient`hay loader which will distribute the hay upon the wagon adapted to receive the same in such a manner as to eliminate the necessity of having someone elny distribute the hay upon the body of the wagon.

Another object of the invention is the production of a simple and eticient automatie reversing means which will cause the distributing conveyer to be shifted laterally relative to the lifting apron so as to evenly distribute the hay upon the body of the wagon. v

'ith these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel construe tions, combinations and arrangements of parts` as will be hereinafter fully described and'claimed.

In the drawings :-I `igure 1 is aside elevation partly in section 'of the hay lifting and loading device. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof partly broken away to how the op'erating parts. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the clutch mechanism for automatically causing the distributing conveyer frame to shift lateraily and the clutch mechanism for changing the direction of travel of the conveyer distributing belt. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation partly in elevation of the clutch mechanism for changing the travel of the distributing belt and also changing the travel of the frame adapted to carry the distributing belt. Fig, 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken transversely through a portion of the frame for the conveyer distributing belt showing the automatic shaft lever in side elevation. Fig. T is a fragmentary Isectional view through the clutch mechanism for changing the direction of travel of the distributing belt. Fig. S is a detail perspective of a portion of the level' adapted to change the direction of travel of the distributing belt showing the manner in which the operating bell crank engages said lever. section through the clutch supporting shaft showing the key portion formed thereon for keying the sliding clutch to the shaft. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective of the bell crank lever adapted to throw the clutch for changing the direction of travel of the distributing conveyer belt.

Referring to the drawings by numerals it will be seen that 1 designates the support-` ing fralne of the hay distributing and lift\ ing device which is supported upon the usual steering wheels and the drive wheels 3. A draft tongue 4 is connected to the axle which supports the steering wheels 2 and to this tongue may be secured the draft animals for drawing the frame 1 in the direction of the arrow.` Of course, the draft animals are so attached to the machine as to draw the same forward. driving sprocket 5 is carried b v the drive axle G and over this sprocket 5 passes a drive chain 7 which chainl also passes over a sprocket wheelV S adapted to drive the distributing operating shaft 9. A plurality of sprocket wheels l0 are supported upon the axle (i upon the inside of the frame as indicated in Fig. Q. and conveyer chains 11 pass therethrough and also travelover the pulleys or sprocket wheels 1Q carried by the upper end of the frame 1. This conveyer belt or apron comprises a plurality of transversely extending cleats 13 of the ordinary construction for lifting the hay or other material in the usual manner. The usual hay lifting or picking roller 14 is drawn in the rear of themachine by means of the arms 15 and raises the hay upon the conveyer 'apron carried by the chains 11.

The frame 1 is provided with a plurality of forwardly extending braces or beams 16 which support the front transversely extend ing beams 1T of the distributing frame. A rearward transversely extending baln 1S is secured to the vertically extending members 19 of the frame l. An auxiliary sliding frame .20 is slidably mounted upon the main distributing frame and rollers 21 are supported bv the transversely extending members 17 and 1S upon which rest the side members 22 of the auxiliary sliding frame 20. Brackets Q3 are also carried hy the side members 22 and carry rollers 24 working upon the upper edge of the side members 22. 1t will. therefore, be seen that these rolle s Fig. 9 is a transversev 21 and 2i will constitute an efficient mea is i the sliding for guiding the sliding frame 20. A drum supporting shaft 25 is supported upon the main distributing frame and carries a winding druni 2G. This shaft 25 carries at its outer end a `fear wheelQT which gear wheel meshes with the gears 28 which gears 28 are loosely mounted upon the clutch shaft 9. A clutch 29 is slidably mounted upon the shaft 9 and is keyed thereto so as to rotate therewith. (.lutch teeth 30 are formed upon the respective gears 28 and this clutch '29 is adapted to be shifted so as to contact with one of the clutch teeth 30 whereby rotary movement will be imparted to the shaft. 25 through one of the gears 28 and the gear 27. This clutch 29 is operatedy by means of an automatic lever 31 which lever i's pivotally `secured to the main frame of the distributing frame at a pivot point 32. The clutch lever 31 is provided with a fork-shaped lower end 33 so as to straddle the clutch 29 and etliciently operate the same. This shaft 9 is 1 supported in its correct position 'by means l of brackets 34 carried by the main distributing frame.

A plurality of buffer rollers 35 are carried l by the auxiliary sliding/frame 20 of the dist tributing frame, at predetermined points so I as to have the upper end ofthe automatic shifting lever 31 contact therewith whereby the lever will be swung to throw the clutch 29 into operative engagement with one ofi-the gears 28. A buffer roller 35 ispreferably carried near each end of the sliding frame 20 and this will cause the lever 31 to be efficiently swung after the sliding frame travels from one end of the main distributinf;` frame to the other. A spring pressed catch 36 is supported upon an outwardly extending arm 37 carried by one of the brackets 34 and is adapted to be engaged b v a projecting finger 38 of the lever 31 so as to `constitute a catch for holding the lever 31 in a set position. This catch comprises` an enlarged arrow-shaped head 36 which engages the pointedl end 37 of thefinger 8S. It will, therefore, be seen that this spring pressed catch will efficiently hold the lever 31 in a set position until again operated upon by the next succeeding buffer roller 35. It should be understood that as soon as the auxiliary sliding frame of the' distributing frame reaches one end of the main frame the'-A lever 31 will engage one of the buiferlrollers so that the same may be swung to the opposite position and throw the clutch 29 in engagement with the opposite gear 28 there by causing the shaft 25 to operate in the opposite direction. A cable 39 is Wound upon the drum 26 and has its opposite ends secured to the opposite ends of the sliding distributingv frame. t will, therefore. be seen that as the shaft 25 rotates in one direction distributing framewill be moved in. It will also be seen jmeshes with wheels 48 positloned upon opposite sides of toward one side of the machine whereas When the clutch 29 is thrown so as to engage the opposite gear from the. one with which it has already been engaged, the vsliding frame will be shifted rto the opposite l direction.

By means of the' operation just described it will be seen that the hay will be evenly distributed across the width of the wagon adapted to trav-el to the side of the hay distributing frame thereby doing away with the necessity of employing an additional laborer to distribute the hay in v`the wagon after the same has once been dumped therethrough thev automatic operating mechanism just described that the distributing frame will automatically reverse itselifr so as'to allow the.. machine to efiiciently operate without the necessity of' manually shifting the distributing frame. Of course, it should be understood that the buffer rollers '35 may be detachably secured to the frame20 so as to allow the same to be placed in different positions to accommodate the different width of wagons. Of course, it should be understood that after the wagon upon one side of the machine has been loaded a second wagon is drawn up on the opposite side of the machine and the operating mechanism for the conveyer distributing belt is so operated .through the means hereinafter described, as to cause the conveyer distributing belt to operate in the opposite direction. A conveyer belt 40 is carried by the auxiliary sliding frame 20.and by the sprocket chains 4l which sprocket chains pass over the sprocket wheels 42 carried by the shafts 43. A driving sprocket-14 is supported upon a driving shaft 45 and these chains l1 pass under this sprocket so as to cause the apron `lO'to operate. `Gruide rollers 4G are carried by the main distributing frame and the conveyer belt 40 and chains 4l pass thereover so as to constitute means for holding the chains 41 in engagement with the driving sprocket 44.

A gear wheel 4T is carried by the inner end bf the shaft 9 and this gear wheel the two loosely mounted gear the gear. These gears 4S are supported upon the drive shaft 45 and carry clutch Vteeth 49. A clutch member is lsldably mounted jupon the shaft between the gears 48 and is keyed thereto so as to rotaie therewith. This clutch member is adapted to he thrown y into engagement with the clutch teeth formed upon one of the gears 43 so as to lockone of the gears with the shaft 4F and im )art rotary movement to the shaft l-' througlli the medium of the gear 4T. Ut' course, it should be understood that when the clutch member 50 is thrown into operative engagement with the opposite gear the direction of travel of the shaft will be changed. bell crank lever 51 engages the clutch member and is pivotally supported upon a bracket 52 which bracket 52 is secured to the stationary or main distributing frame. rThe bell crank lever 51 is provided with a forwardly extending end 53 which forwardly extending endtits in an aperture 5l formed in the clutch throwing lever This clutch throwing lever 55 is pivotally secured to the stationary or main distributing frame at its upper' end and depends from this frame so as to allow the same to be easily swung by the operator of the machine. A quadrant main distributing frame and is adapted to be engaged by the usual spring clutch device .3i carried by the'lever 55 for holding the lever in a set or operative position,

lfrom the foregoing description it will be seen that a very efficient throwing mechanism has been produced whereby the direction of travel of the apron may be efficiently and quickly changed by throwing the lever 35. 1t should, however, be understood that the automatic clutch mechanism above described with reference to the reciprocating motion ot' the sliding frame upon the main frame, will at all times be the same.

From the foregoing description, it will4 be seen that a very eliicient device has been produced which will distribute the hay upon the body of the wagon owing to the fact that the distributing frame is reciprocably .-nountetl upon the Inaiis frame and is pro- Yvided with automatic means for changing tire direction of travel of the frame. It should also be understood that a very etlicient device has been produced for changing the direction of travel of the apron carried by the distributing frame whereby a wagon may be loaded upon either side .of the machine. Y i I Having thus described the invention, what is'claimed as new, isz- 1. In a machine of the class described the con'tbination with a main frame, elevating means carried by said frame` a distributing franje reciprocably mounted upon said main trame :nul rncans t'or automatically .shitting the distrilulting` frame when it reaches the limits of its movement in one dirr'clion.

if: .ln u machine ol` the r'lar-'s dest'fribcd the rfc-un inuon with :t main trame. clc.'ating carrie-d by said main l'ranw. a disiribltrig traute reciprocahly mounted upon .said :nain traine. and automatic means coopt'lrating therewith tor causing the sinne t0- anuunuticully sluit buch and forth upon said tu:

:zu trame.

nuioa with u main trame. hay elevat- 56 is suspended from they in a nunyninc ot' the class drf-ribcd the ing means carried thereby, a distributing frame extending transversely of said main frame, a drum carried by said main "traine, means for driving said drum, and means carried by said main frame and cooperating with said drum and driving means for causing said distributing frame to be automatically shifted from one' side of said frame to the other.

4. In a machine of the class described the combination with a main frame, oi' a distributing frame carried thereby, a drum carried by said main frame, cables passing over said drum andsecured tothe opposite ends of said distributing frame, driving means carried by said main frame, and automatic clutch means associated with said dri v'ng means and drum for automatically shitting said distributingframe from one side of said main frame to the other.

5. In a machine of the class described the ut-ing frame carried thereby, a drum carried by sa1d main frame, a conveyer apron ing shaft, of'a clutch carried by said driving shaft, means coperating with said driving shaft for imparting rotary movement to said 'drum, a lever carried by said clutch, and means carried by said main frame for swinging said lever whereby said clutch Will` be shifted and said distributing frame will be caused to travel in an opposite direction.`

6. In a machine of the class described the combination with a frame, elevating means .carried by said frame, of a hay distributing frame extending transversely of said main frame, a conveyer belt carried by said hay distributing frame, a cable secured to said cured to the respectiveends of said distributing frame, a drive gear associated With said drum, a drive shaft carried by said main frame, gears loosely mounted upon said drive shaft, a clutch'keyed to said drive shaft, and means cooperating With said clutch for automatically shifting the same upon said drive shaft whereby said clutch member will be thrown into and out of engagement with said loosely mounted gears for changing the direction of .travel of said distributing frame.

7. In a machine of the class described the combination with a main frame, elevating means carried thereby, of a distributilig frame carried by said main frame, a drive l shaft. carricd'bysaid main frame,gearsloosely mounted uponsaid mainsllaft,aclutchmem ber keyed to said main shaft and slidably mounted thereon, a lever secured to said clutch. bult'er rollers rarried by said distributing` lramc and adapted to contact with i said level' for .shitting said clutch upon said t drive shaft., means carried by said frame maincarried by said distributing frame, a driv main frame and having its opposite ends sev combination witha main frame, of a distrib- `inain drive sl crank lever cooperating with conveyer belt, automatically acting meang controlling the movements of the distributing frame, and manually operating means carried by said frame for changing the direction of travel of said conve'yer belt.

t). In a machine of the class described'tlf-1` combination with a main frame, ot a distribating frame carried thereby, a conveyor belt carried by said distributing frame, a iai't, a gea'. carried by said main drive shaft, a driving shaft for 'said renvoyer belt, gears loosely mounted apo.'

.said last mentioned driving shaft, a clutch` slidably mounted between said gears and adapted to alternately lock said gears with said last mentioned driving shaft, a bell said clutch 'for sliding the same upon said driving shaft, and an operating le\` er cooperating with said bell crank lever for causing said bell crank lever to be swung.

10. 'In a machine of the class described the combination with a main frame, of a distributing frame slidably mounted thereon, a conveyor belt carried by said distributing frame, means for Qopies o! this patent may be obtained for imparting movement to' ve cents each, by addressing the said conveye'r belt, means for reciprocating said distributing frame upon said main frame, a lever copcrating with said last mentioned means, and a butter engaging said lever for resisting the swinging moves ment of said lever as the same is operated.

11. In a machine of the class described the combination with a main frame, a track extending transversely thereof, brackets secured to said track, rollers secured to said track and brackets, a sliding distributing frame carried by said rollers, and means automatically acting frame for reciprocating the same upon sai main frame.

1Q. ln a machine of the class described the i combination with a main frame, of a istributin-g frame slidably mounted thereon, means for driving said frame, clutch means coperating with said last mentioned means, an operating lever cooperating with said clutch means, said operating lever provided with a laterally extending finger, a spring pressed plunger adapted to normally engage .'E

said finger for holding said lever in a set position, and said plunglers adapted to `yield as said lever strikes as obstruction for ailowing said lever to said clutch.

In testimony vvhereoiv I hereunto aiiix in v signature in .presence of two witnesses.

VILLAM J. VVlTTENBUR-G.

litnesses z Y ALLEN C. billinnu'r, JOHN T. WA'rniNs.

Commissioner of Patents.

secured to 'said sliding be swung to operate' 

